The U.S. ambassador to Moldova said on Monday
The United States supports a peaceful settlement of the conflict between Moldova and its breakaway republic of Transdnestr, but demands that Russia withdraw its troops from the region, the U.S. ambassador to Moldova said on Monday, RIA Novosti reported.
Relations between Moldova and its separatist region have been continually tense since Moldova declared its independence from the Soviet Union, and Transdnestr in turn proclaimed itself an independent republic. Russia has had peacekeepers in Transdnestr since July 1992.
Asif Chaudhry said the best means of resolving the conflict is the 5+2 format, which involves Moldova, Transdnestr, Russia, Ukraine, the OSCE, the European Union and the United States.
The envoy said that the settlement of the Transdnestr conflict must be based not only on territorial integrity of internationally recognized borders, but also on the withdrawal of Russian troops.
International talks on Transdnestr were suspended in 2006. Hopes that talks would finally resume were given a boost after a meeting between the presidents of Transdnestr and Moldova in the Transdnestrian city of Bendery in April this year.
However, another round of talks between them scheduled for September 25 was called off after the parties failed to agree on a venue.